Trial remains on schedule for Davis teen accused of murder

Surrounded by four bailiffs, a Davis teen accused of a double murder listened as attorneys discussed his upcoming August trial date Thursday morning.

Daniel Marsh, 17, is accused of torturing and mutilating Oliver "Chip" Northup, 87, and his wife, Claudia Maupin, 76, inside their Davis condominium. He changed his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity on June 2.

In light of this new plea, the trial date was continued to allow for a psychological evaluation of the teen by two medical professionals.

Yolo County Superior Court Judge David Reed postponed the trial to 9 a.m. on Aug. 25 in Department 6. He also scheduled a trial readiness conference at 9 a.m. on Aug. 18 in the same department.

Hosking was questioned early last month because she was slated to undergo surgery for a neurological condition, the lengthy recovery of which would conflict with the trial. Her testimony was video recorded for future use.

When Reed got to the documents pertaining to Bill and Sara Marsh, he asked their permission to do so. Both Bill and Sara, who often attend Marsh's hearings, stood up and agreed to have their information distributed to the attorneys, even though the medical offices failed to ask their permission to release the records to the court.

When Reed asked for Hosking's whereabouts, Sara raised her hand and said that her mother is still recovering from the surgery. He released her medical documents as well.

Moving on to other matters, Reed scheduled a review date for Marsh's psychological evaluations for 8:30 a.m. on July 30 in Department 6.

Marsh is charged with two counts of first degree murder with enhancements for using a "deadly or dangerous weapon," in this case a knife. There are also additional enhancements noting special circumstances for committing multiple murders, stating that Marsh "intentionally killed more than one victim." Enhancements for "lying in wait" and "torture" were also outlined in court documents. He faces 25-year prison terms for each murder count.

At the teen's preliminary hearing in September, details of Marsh's statements to officers came to light. The teenager allegedly confessed to stabbing each victim dozens of times and mutilating the bodies, telling investigators that "it just felt right."

Maupin had 67 stab wounds, while Northup had 61, according to Yolo County Chief Deputy Coroner Gina Moya.

The murder took place April 13, 2013. Marsh was arrested on June 17, 2013 in Davis. Though Marsh was 15 at the time, he is being tried as an adult.